"Growing up in southern America at the height of the Iranian hostage crisis did not lend itself to an ideal childhood. We were invisible, and when acknowledged, we were only an afterthought. Our community has since excelled in many dimensions. We are a highly successful and educated people who until recently enjoyed a minimal degree of civic participation and political influence.

The establishment of the NIAC was a true watershed event that changed this equation for generations to come. Finally, there was an organization driven by consensus peers who grew up in America. Finally we had an organization we could turn to, one that would advocate on behalf of our interests and stand up to any form of injustice perpetrated against our community.

But it wasn't long before we were soon reminded of the dark underbelly of our culture: culture of mistrust, innuendo, conspiracy, and jealousy. The same traits plaguing our forefathers for centuries, the same traits responsible for plunging a once proud and honorable people to the abyss of history. The same court jesters and clowns who once provided services for the countless invaders and conquerors, served their current masters by starting a vicious and spiteful campaign against NIAC and its membership. Why? Because NIAC advocates a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, rather than broad sanctions and war.

But the Iranian people know better, they voted overwhelmingly in the recent elections despite calls from the old grandees at the LA TV stations for a boycott. The Iranian people demanded their government to break the 34-year impasse by sending their negotiating team to Geneva to normalize relations with the world and NIAC has been in concert with the Iranian people all along, and that gives me a sense of satisfaction." -- Arash Manzori is an Iranian-American cardiologist in Texas

After decades of strife between the West and Iran, a deal has been brokered that quashes the prospect of war and paves the path for diplomacy with Iran. It is important to note that the strategy behind this historic deal closely reflects the approach advocated by the National Iranian American Council.

For over a decade, we have witnessed NIAC’s commitment to reinforcing a diplomatic approach to political disputes with Iran and its crucial role in shaping policies that affect Iranians both inside and outside of Iran. NIAC has arduously fought against the prospect of war and effectively campaigned against broad economic sanctions that have had a devastating effect on the Iranian people.

When news of the deal broke out last Sunday, thousands of Iranians took to the streets, celebrating and congratulating one another on the victorious deal. This is a clear indication that NIAC has indeed been on the right side of history, but for fighting this good fight, NIAC has continuously gone under attack by a minority of diaspora Iranians who claim broad sanctions and war are what the Iranian people need and want. Despite clear evidence of overwhelming support for diplomacy in Iran, these “Iranians” continue to push the hawkish agenda of sanctions and war.

As Iranian Americans, we have a vested interest in seeing friendly relations between our two countries and there is no organization that has better conveyed our interests and views than the National Iranian American Council. On this thanksgiving, we would like to take this opportunity to thank NIAC for its decade-long service toward stowing peace and diplomacy and effectively representing the interests of the Iranian community. Keep up the good work. We need you!